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WEST HARRISON, N.Y.  St. Anthony of Padua Church kicks-off its 43rd Annual Festa Italiana tonight, the biggest celebration of its kind all year in West Harrison.

The festivities begin at 6 p.m., as homemade food, carnival games, rides for the kids and plenty of live music will take over the church grounds. The Rev. Christopher Monturo, pastor of St. Anthonys, said that the best part of the Festa is the community aspect, adding that about 350 parishioners volunteer their time in some way or another to make the event happen.

We have people weeks in advance making meatballs and sauce, Monturo said. He added that in the five years Ive been here, the town, especially the Town Board, has been very supportive of our parish.

Monturo said that the highpoint of the three-day celebration is the Mass on Sunday which will be followed by a procession through the streets of West Harrison at 2:30 pm. Monturo said that celebrating St. Anthony of Padua is the main idea behind the festival.

We will also have parishioners deliver food to the elderly, ill and homebound, Monturo said. We want to make sure everyone is included. We are an active parish and there is something for every age group. We are going to celebrate the faith we have in Jesus Christ, which is what our whole community is all about.

The Festa runs from 6 p.m. to midnight tonight; 5 p.m. to midnight on Saturday; and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. For more information call (914) 948-1480 or visit
www.saintanthonyofpaduawh.org
.